UK Aviation Safety: CAA Mandates Cabin Crew Checks for Lithium Devices

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a new safety directive on October 29, requiring air passengers to inform cabin crew before using lithium battery-powered devices during a flight. The regulator emphasized that travelers must keep these items in sight at all times to mitigate fire risks.

This guidance coincides with the October half-term holiday, during which the CAA predicts three million passengers will travel across England and Wales. The agency noted that the average traveler now carries four lithium-powered devices. Reports of overheating or malfunctioning passenger devices have nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025. Globally, the CAA records two lithium battery incidents each week, including two on UK-bound flights in recent weeks.

The CAA stated that several UK flights have been delayed recently because potentially dangerous items had to be offloaded. The new checklist is designed to help crews respond swiftly if a device starts to overheat. The regulator warned that incidents involving these devices remain highly likely during this busy travel period.

Surveys indicate a shift in passenger habits. More than half of UK air passengers, 54%, now carry a power bank, up from 49% last year. A survey cited by the CAA found that 36% of travelers are unaware of the dangers of packing lithium batteries in checked baggage. The data suggests that hundreds of batteries could be incorrectly packed on a typical flight.

The CAA specified that power banks, vapes, and similar items must be carried in the cabin as hand luggage. They must not be placed in checked-in luggage stowed in the aircraft hold. This rule enables swift action if an item begins to overheat. The regulator listed ten items banned from checked baggage, including laptops, tablets, digital cameras, Bluetooth speakers, electric fans, fitness watches, wireless headphones, smartwatches, and e-readers.

Passengers are limited to two power banks per person. These devices must never be recharged onboard the aircraft, as the CAA stated this increases the risk of a fire. Travelers must check with their specific airline to ensure their devices meet size and quantity limits, as some carriers have additional restrictions.

The CAA provided a specific protocol for in-flight usage. If a passenger wishes to use a power bank, they must first verify that their airline allows it. The device must remain easily accessible. If a power bank, vape, phone, or tablet starts to get hot, the passenger must switch it off, stop charging, and alert the cabin crew immediately. If a device starts to smoke, the passenger must also alert the crew at once.

Cabin crew are trained to deal with these issues safely. The CAA noted that vapes must always be carried inside the cabin but must never be used onboard an aircraft. The new checklist aims to clarify these requirements for passengers who may be unaware of the specific rules for different types of rechargeable gadgets.